Fleet Command (SA Navy)

Fleet Command
Active 1999 to date
Country  South Africa
Branch South African Navy
Garrison/HQ Naval Base Simon's Town
Commanders
Flag Officer Fleet RADM Bubele Mhlana
Fleet Master at Arms CWO I Kirchner

Fleet Command is the South African Navy's single type command and controls all vessels and units of the South African Navy, besides Naval Headquarters. The commander of Fleet Command is a Rear Admiral and referred to as Flag Officer Fleet (FOF). Previously the post had been known as Chief of Naval Operations.[1]

Fleet Command was formed on 1 April 1999 following a Defense review, with Rear Admiral Eric Green as the first Flag Officer Fleet.[2]

Command, Control and Organisation

Four Directorates are responsible for the day to day control of Fleet Command:[3]

Leadership

Flag Officer Fleet Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana
Chief of Fleet Staff Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Guy Jamieson
Director Fleet Force Preparation Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) -
Director Fleet Human Resources Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) James Matshimane[4]
Director Fleet Quality Assurance Captain R Goveia
Director Fleet Logistics Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Monde Lobese
Director Naval Engineering Services Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Kevin Watson
FOC Naval Base Simon's Town Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) David Mkhonto

Past Flag Officers Fleet

Force Preparation

Director Fleet Force Preparations is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ships and submarines and for ensuring their operational readiness. The Maritime Reaction Squadron and Navcomcens also report into DFFP

Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS)

The Naval Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF), now known as the Maritime Reaction Squadron,[8] was formed in 2006.[9]

The main aim of this specialised unit is to deploy infantry-trained South African Navy members in various peacekeeping roles within the African continent and to assist in boarding operations at sea, humanitarian operations and disaster relief.[10]

The squadron consists of the following components:

Human Resources

Director Fleet Human Resources is responsible for all training and manning and also controls the training units.

Training Units

Logistics

Director Fleet Logistics is responsible for all Logistics units as well as for the maintenance of the fleet.

Logistics Units

Quality Assurance

Director Fleet Quality Assurance is responsible for the output of Fleet Command and monitoring Quality Assurance throughout Fleet Command

References

  1. Molebeledi, Pule (July 16, 1988). "South Africa: Pretoria navy chiefs post to be abolished". AllAfrica. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  2. "NAVY HQ INAUGURATED". Mail & Guardian. March 31, 1999. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  3. Bennett, C. H. and Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  4. http://www.navy.mil.za/archive/1305/130514_Ministerial_visit/article.htm
  5. Louw, Dalene (December 7, 2010). "Higgs hands over fleet command". Die Burger. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  6. "Schöultz takes the helm at the fleet". DefenceWeb. 2010-12-06. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  7. Wingrin, Dean (February 3, 2014). "Navy rising to meet new challenges". Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  8. "Edition No 4 of 2006" (PDF). 7 November 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  9. "The SAAF Forum View topic - Maritime Reaction Squadron comes of age". saairforce.co.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  10. "Maritime Protection Squadron". navy.mil.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  11. "SA Navy to commission Maritime Reaction Squadron | defenceWeb". defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  12. "SAS Saldanha Home Page". navy.mil.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  13. Bennett, C. H. and Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the peopl. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  14. Bennett, C. H. and Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the peopl. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  15. "Presentation by Chief of the SA Navy" (PDF). 17 November 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  16. Bennett, C. H. and Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the peopl. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
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